Care in Crisis helps as credit crunch bites

Care in Crisis has had to deal with a large number of clients faced with depression and other issues in the past year.

Hundreds of clients are travelling to Lurgan from across Northern Ireland to avail of the confidential service which was set up in Lurgan almost 20 years ago.

Robin Pillar, Communications Manager with Care in Crisis revealed: “Clients are saying they can’t cope any more. Because they are struggling financially it can affect their mental well being,” he said adding there had been a slight rise in people coming to the charity for help since the Jimmy Savile scandal.

“Care in Crisis is a faith-based, charity offering confidential therapeutic counselling support, not just to the local community, but also to all areas of Northern Ireland,” he told the Mail.

“Our aim is to see professional counselling services, based upon sound ethical values, made accessible to all.”

Care in Crisis was founded as a crisis pregnancy centre. Since then it has developed a range of counselling services and is now recognised as a professional counselling centre. “We see young people from the age of thirteen and adults of all ages, male and female, from all sections of the community.

“As no-one can really be made to go for counselling, you must self-refer to Care in Crisis. It is something that you have to want to do, to enable that start of change in your life.

“We see people who bring many issues e.g. depression, stress, anxiety, self-esteem, loss and bereavement, relationship problems, marriage, family and sexual issues. Other issues are trauma resulting from childhood abuse and teenage issues regarding relationships, bullying, self-harm, suicidal thoughts/behaviour, alcohol/drug misuse, sexual health and pregnancy related issues.

Director of Counselling, Mrs Karen Moore, leads a team of over 25 volunteer counsellors. And the charity works in partnership with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and other local agencies.

“As a charity, we rely on support from the public and always greatly appreciate support in any form,” said Robin.